Importance of Air Conditioner Maintenance
Annual air conditioning maintenance is a yearly service visit that cleans, inspects, and tunes your cooling system so it runs efficiently and reliably through the summer. In southern New Hampshire, where humid stretches in July and August push systems hard, skipping maintenance is the most common reason a working AC turns into a mid-heatwave no-cool call.
At A.J. LeBlanc Heating, we service residential cooling systems across Manchester, Bedford, Nashua, Concord, Salem, and Auburn. The problems we see during routine tune-ups are remarkably consistent, and almost all of them are preventable.
What an AC tune-up covers
A proper annual visit includes more than a quick visual check. Our technicians:
- Rinse and clean the outdoor condenser coil, the part that rejects heat from your home
- Inspect and replace the indoor air filter
- Check refrigerant charge against manufacturer specs
- Measure indoor coil and supply-air temperatures to confirm proper cooling performance
- Verify electrical connections, capacitor health, and contactor condition
- Confirm the condensate drain is clear and the safety switch works
Why a clean condenser coil matters
The outdoor coil is essentially a radiator. When it is coated with pollen, cottonwood fluff, grass clippings, or pet hair, the system has to work harder and longer to move the same amount of heat out of your home. The result is higher electric bills, longer run times, and earlier compressor wear.
Rinsing the coil once a year, paired with keeping shrubs and tall grass back at least two feet from the unit, is one of the highest-payoff maintenance steps a homeowner can take.
Dirty filters cause more service calls than any other issue
A clogged air filter restricts airflow across the indoor coil. With reduced airflow, the coil temperature drops, ice can form on the coil, and eventually the system either freezes up or short-cycles. Many of the "my AC stopped working" calls we respond to in July turn out to be a filter that has not been changed in a year or more.
- Check 1-inch filters monthly; replace at least every three months
- 4 to 5-inch media filters typically last six to twelve months
- If you have pets or run the fan continuously, change more often
Wildlife damage is a New Hampshire reality
Outdoor condensers sit on the ground, often near foundations or against shrubs, which makes them attractive shelter for mice and chipmunks. We regularly find nesting material packed into the electrical compartment, chewed wiring on the contactor, and damaged capacitor leads. In severe cases, the resulting short circuits can render the unit unrepairable.
During maintenance we clear out any debris, repair compromised wiring, and seal access points where we can. A small amount of prevention here can save a full condenser replacement.
Refrigerant charge and efficiency
An AC system that is slightly low on refrigerant will still cool, just not well. Indoor coil temperatures should typically land in the 40°F range. A system running at 60°F coil temperature is using significantly more electricity to deliver less comfort. Refrigerant levels are checked and corrected during a tune-up so the system delivers the efficiency you paid for.
One note on refrigerant: R-22 was fully retired from production in 2020, and R-410A is now being phased out in favor of lower-GWP refrigerants like R-32 and R-454B as of 2025. Older systems can still be serviced, but the cost of refrigerant for retired blends has risen sharply. If your AC was installed before 2010, it is worth discussing replacement timing with your technician.
When to schedule
Spring is ideal, late March through May, before demand spikes and before the first hot day exposes a problem. Our schedule fills fastest once a 90°F forecast appears.
To schedule an AC tune-up in southern New Hampshire, contact A.J. LeBlanc Heating. Serving NH families since 1928.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I have my AC serviced?
Once a year, ideally in spring before the cooling season. Annual service is also a condition of most manufacturer warranties.
Can I clean the outdoor coil myself?
You can rinse it gently with a garden hose from the inside out after disconnecting power at the disconnect box. Avoid pressure washers, which can bend the fins. Deeper cleaning, coil inspection, and refrigerant checks should be left to a licensed technician.
What happens if I skip a year?
Often nothing visible, until something fails. The most common consequences are higher electric bills, an unexpected no-cool call during a heatwave, or accelerated compressor wear that shortens the system's useful life.
Does maintenance really save money?
Yes, in two ways: lower seasonal operating costs from a system running at design efficiency, and avoided emergency repairs. A clean, charged, well-maintained AC typically lasts 12 to 15 years; a neglected one often needs replacement sooner.
Do you service all brands?
Yes. Our technicians are trained on the major residential brands installed across southern New Hampshire, including Bosch, Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, Daikin, Carrier, Trane, Lennox, and Goodman.